Different types of hardwood

Is there a good resource somewhere for seeing the different types of hardwood used for flooring? I'm not the most knowledgeable about woods, so my wife and I aren't sure yet if we want pine, oak, mahogany, etc, etc.
Thanks,
Brandon

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Different types of hardwood

I wouldn't suggest looking online. You really need to see it in person. Most big flooring companies have some sort of showroom, and I'd suggest going and looking at them, even if you're doing the floor yourself. It will give you an idea of what species you prefer, and stain colors.

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Different types of hardwood

I'm really interested in some exotic/non-domestic woods. My father has an old house that he restored and is renting out that uses a deep, dark red (almost blood-colored) mahogany wood in the living, dining, foyer rooms - my wife likes that a lot. I've seen some chesnut floors in the past that I like as well. Are these things that local Big Box / hardwood stores would have available?

Different types of hardwood

I was going to say considering you're in North Carolina you can find some great deals on unfinished hardwood as there are oodles of small mills all over the state. But you want exotic...hmmn. I kind of doubt that old house has an exotic in it. Maybe a wild black cherry? It has similar colors.

Different types of hardwood

Sounds like you are after the look of Brazilian Cherry. Go to a flooring show room as suggested, and look at the sample sections. I doubt if the "old house" has this wood though, most likely a stain job. You will not find any of the exotics or specialty woods like chestnut at the big boxes unless you are looking for an engineered floor or perhaps a pre finished full thickness.

Different types of hardwood

Home Depot has a beautiful Jatoba (Brazillian cherry) engineered wood instock. It is under the Thomasville name brand.

Also they have a Santos Mahogany click together product. If it out of stock, be prepared to wait about a month for delivery. One customer waited from the end of March until last week when Roadway decided they had never actually received it from the vendor. We gave them the Thomasville instead.

They have many exotics by Bruce that have to be special ordered. They will take from 2 to 5 weeks.